Quote:
Originally Posted by l2ridehd
Different point of view.
In the DC area there are 4 places owned by the same person. Sweetwater Grill, (2 of them), Artie's and one other. They have a process that works. Not sure how they do it, but you can go in, go to the bar, order a drink, get a table, order salad, then the meal, ask for another drink, more bread, change your side dish, and do EVERY ONE of these things with a different server and it always comes out right. And then ask someone else who just happens to work by for the bill, and even that comes out right. Now the food is really good, but not great at these places. And there is always a wait to get in. I personally believe it is the superior service and the process they have to control the delivery of that service. So it can be done without assigning areas, or table owners, or making someone pay a bill before moving or when one person goes off or on shift.
|
Hello i2; you are describing a system in which the check is traveling with you and the servers share in the tips. To the best of my knowledge this system originated in SE Florida and was then taken nationwide by the Houston's chain. It works very well for the servers, but requires a lot of shared sacrifice and the willingness to accept tough discipline.
Houston's servers (these are very sought after jobs) go through a line-up every day. They are required to show up not only neat and clean; but dressed to the standards of Houston's. This does not simply mean their clothes but includes such things as the amount of change they carry and the denominations of the bills. The fact that they are all subject to the same discipline (though it may be in their mind's 'Mickey Mouse Rules") helps them come together as a team. The payoff is great service for the customer and equally great tips for the servers. If a server does not perform for the customers, then he/she is quickly identified by the others and let go.
The result of this system is that every server cares for every customer. There is no territoriality. The servers work together to provide the best possible service to the customer and the highest possible tips to them as a group. The whole thing works when servers are in cooperation rather than competition.
Just the thoughts of a person who grew up as a kid in the restaurant business.